When you must climb a flight of stairs, you don't have to see the whole staircase, just the first step. The first step in a successful defense is to count possible winners.

Today's East signaled with the four on the first spade, and South played the deuce. Clearly, South started with A-K-2. What should West lead at Trick Two?

West needs five tricks but can't set up and cash the spades. East probably has the king of clubs, else South would have won the first trick and forced out West's ace for nine tricks. But a spade continuation at Trick Two won't help since West has only one sure entry.

CORRECT DIAMOND

West's best chance is to play East for the king of diamonds and shift to diamonds, hoping for two diamond tricks, two clubs and a spade. Once West analyzes that far, he should realize that the correct diamond to lead is the ten in case South holds 9-x-x-x.

Did you work from first principles and find the winning defense? Only a shift to the ten of diamonds beats 3NT.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K 2 H K J 10 D 9 6 3 2 C 6 5 3. The dealer, at your left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner has opening values or more with support for the unbid suits. Your 11 points are enough to try for game, and since your pattern is balanced, 3NT is most attractive. Jump to 2NT, invitational. The play should go easily since you'll know where most of the missing high cards lie.